Mormon Church History

Mormon History, 1839-44

-- During 1839-44
Joseph Smith Jr.: Discovered two seer stones on Mississippi River (1839-44) (1)

-- During 1839-46
[Black History] Nauvoo reported to have 22 Blacks, including free and slave. (2)

-- After 1838
Joseph Smith declares bankruptcy (property in Emma's name). (3)

Joseph Smith receives liquor license in Nauvoo. (3)

-- 1Jan40
[Joseph Smith Sermon] The Book of Mormon (4)

-- Jan 1, 1840
William Clayton Begins Journal 1, "England and Emigration"; writes last entry on February 18, 1842. (5)

-- Jan 7, 1840
At the beginning of a proselytizing meeting in Massachusetts "three sons of sectarian deacons" throw sulpher on a hot stove. After opening doors and windows to air out the building Brigham Young and George A. Smith continue their meeting. (6)

-- (Thr) Jan 9, 1840
Smith returned to Philadelphia after having visited outside of the city. (7)

-- Jan 11, 1840
Taylor, John: Arrived Liverpool 11 January 1840. (8)

[Wilford Woodruff] Arrives in Liverpool, England (9)

-- Jan 12, 1840
[Francis M. Lyman] Francis Marion Lyman was born 12 January 1840 at the Justice Morse home in Walnut Grove Township (later Good Hope), McDonough County, Illinois, the son of Amasa Mason Lyman and Maria Louisa Tanner. (10)

-- (Mon) Jan 13, 1840
Sidney Rigdon and Dr. Foster arrived in Philadelphia and a Church conference was held there, hosted by local mission president, Benjamin Winchester. About this time Smith reportedly informed Pratt about the principle of polygamy. Winchester later recalled that Smith was engaged in an illicit affair with a female member, while staying in Philadelphia. (7)

-- 13Jan40
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Respect Local Authorities (4)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47
2 - Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood, http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/node/62
3 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
4 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
5 - Smith, George D., An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, p.lxiii, A William Clayton Chronology
6 - This Day in Mormon History, http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html
7 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
8 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
9 - Kenny, Scott (editor), Wilford Woodruff's Journals 1833-1898, Chronology Signature Books, Midvale, Utah
10 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Francis M. Lyman, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/l/LYMAN%2CFRANCIS.html

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About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, 1839-41

-- During 1839-41
[Brigham Young] Serves a mission to Great Britain. (1)

George A Smith: Missions (1839-41, 1842, 1843) (2)

Heber C Kimball: Mission (1839-41) (2)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Church treasurer (1839-41) (2)

Lyman Wight: Stake presidency (1838-39, 1839-41) (2)

Orson Pratt: Mission (1839-41) (2)

Parley P Pratt: Mission (1839-41) (2)

Zebedee Coltrin: Branch president (1839-41) (2)

-- During 1839-42
Jedediah M Grant: Missions (1835, 1836-37, 1837-38, 1839-42) (2)

John Smith: Stake president (1838-39, 1839-42) (2)

Vinson Knight: Ward bishop (1839-42) (2)

-- During 1839-43
Brigham Young: Nine missions (1832-37, 1839-43) (2)

-- During 1839-44
Albert P Rockwood: Commander of Joseph Smith Jr. 's Lifeguards (1839-44) (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, Salt Lake City, Utah
2 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, 1839

-- During 1839
Taylor, John: Located family at Montrose, Iowa, 1839. (1)

Taylor, John: Located temporarily in Quincy, Illinois, 1839. (1)

Taylor, John: Mission to England 1839-41. (1)

Whitney, Newel Kimball: Settled in Nauvoo 1839. (1)

Wight, Lyman: Mission to East, June-September 1839. (1)

[Wilford Woodruff] Woodruff performed extensive proselyting work for the church in the Southern States, New England, and Great Britain. He was among those who introduced Mormonism in England, baptizing some 1,800 people while there. He was appointed to the Quorum of Twelve in 1839. (2)

Young, Brigham: Expelled from Missouri 1839. (1)

-- During 1839 and 1840
John E Page: Failed to fulfill mission assignments 1839 and 1840 (3)

-- During 1839 to 1875
[George Albert Smith] His father served as an LDS apostle from 1880 to 1911, and his grandfather, for whom he was named, was also an LDS apostle, from 1839 to 1875, as well as first counselor to Mormon Church President Brigham Young. (4)

-- During 1839-1841
* Robert Blashel Thompson -- primary scribal author for this period. Writings used in assembling The History of the Church (often cited as HC) (originally entitled History of Joseph Smith; first published under the title History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; nicknamed Documentary History of the Church or DHC) (5)

-- During 1839-1846
[Periodicals] Times and Seasons; E. Robinson and Don Carlos Smith Commerce Illinois (Nauvoo) (Periodical) (6)

-- During 1839-33
Amasa M Lyman: Mission (1839-33) (3)

-- During 1839-40
John C Bennett: Brigadier-general of Invincible Dragoons, 2nd Division, Illinois State Militia (1839-40) (3)

LDS History Timeline

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Mormon History, 1839

-- During 1839
[Nauvoo] Through the exploration of Israel Barlow in southern Iowa, Joseph Smith learns that lands "at the head of the rapids" in Illinois and across the river in Iowa Territory are available for purchase and concludes these regions should be the main places to gather. (1)

Pratt, Parley Parker: Published pamphlet on Missouri persecutions 1839. (2)

[Schism] Alston Church; Isaac Russell (organizer); Split off/Continuation of Church of Christ; Now Defunct; Taught that the Latter Day Saints should remain in Missouri and not emigrate to Illinois; formed prior to the death of Joseph Smith. (3)

Smith, Don Carlos: Edited thirty-one issues of Times and Seasons (1839-41). (2)

Smith, Don Carlos: Located in McDonough County, Illinois, near Macomb, 1839. (2)

Smith, Don Carlos: Moved to Nauvoo by late 1839. (2)

Smith, John: Expelled from Missouri 1839. (2)

Smith, Samuel Harrison: Located in Quincy, Illinois, 1839. Later moved onto George Millers farm at Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois. (2)

Smith, William B: Expelled from Missouri 1839. (2)

Smith, William B: Failed to go to England on mission with others of Twelve 1839. (2)

Smith, William B: Settled in Plymouth, Illinois, 1839. (2)

Snow, Erastus: Located in Montrose, Iowa, 1839. (2)

Snow, Lorenzo: Taught school in Shakersville, Ohio, 1839-40. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - LDS Church News: Nauvoo -- The City of Joseph, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58063/Church-history--Nauvoo.html
2 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
3 - Wikipedia, List of Sects in the Latter-Day Saint Movement, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_sects_in_the_Latter_Day_Saint_movement#Before_the_schism

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, 1839

-- During 1839
Kimball, Heber Chase: Located temporarily in Quincy, Illinois, 1839. (1)

Knight, Joseph, Sr: Located in Nauvoo 1839. Received house and lot donated by high council of Nauvoo. (1)

Knight, Newel: Member of Nauvoo high council 1839-45. (1)

Knight, Newel: Moved to Nauvoo 1839. (1)

Knight, Vinson: As church land agent, assisted in purchasing thousands of acres of land in Lee County, Iowa, May-June 1839. (1)

Knight, Vinson: Expelled from Missouri 1839. (1)

Knight, Vinson: Located temporarily in Quincy, Illinois, 1839. (1)

Law, William: Led company of Saints from Upper Canada to Nauvoo 1839, arriving early November. (1)

Marks, William: Located temporarily in Quincy, Illinois, 1839. (1)

Miller, George: Offered farm to exiled Saints from Missouri 1839. (1)

[Nauvoo] As the Church or its members have little hard money, they have scanty means to purchase properties. However, several arrange to exchange property owned by them in Missouri to the sellers, who accepted the properties in payment. It is not known if the sellers ever collected on the other properties. Joseph Smith and the Church assumed the debt and tried for years to liquidate it. Missionaries are sent to Mormons and non-Mormons in the East and South asking them to exchange their properties and many do so. (2)

[Nauvoo] Commerce City remained a mostly paper town as no lots were actually sold. (2)

[Nauvoo] The Church makes four purchases of land at the "head of the rapids" in Illinois, totaling nearly 660 acres. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
2 - LDS Church News: Nauvoo -- The City of Joseph, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58063/Church-history--Nauvoo.html

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, 1839

-- During 1839
Salmon Gee: Subsequently restored to fellowship abt. 1839, but not to his prior position (1)

Sidney Rigdon: Acquitted 1839, released from Liberty Jail (1)

Sidney Rigdon: Mission 1839 (1)

Vinson Knight: Indicted 1839 for arson and treason in Missouri, charges dismissed (1)

William E Mclellin: Mission 1839 (1)

William Smith: Failed to fulfill mission to England 1839 (1)

Church moves to Nauvoo, IL. (2)

Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith print Times and Seasons. (2)

John Corrill leaves the Church. (2)

Sidney Rigdon writes an attack on proponents of the Spalding theory. (2)

Hancock, Levi Ward: Located in Nauvoo 1839. Member of Nauvoo Legion. (3)

Hyde, Orson: Settled in Illinois 1839. (3)

Kimball, Heber Chase: Expelled from Missouri 1839. (3)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47
2 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"
3 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, 1839

-- During 1839
John Taylor: Committee to draft resolutions for re-settlement of Mormons into Illinois 1839, but did not serve on committee which supervised the Missouri exodus (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Escaped custody 1839, fled to Illinois, fugitive rest of life (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Met with Congressmen and Democratic U.S. president (1839) regarding compensation for Mormon losses (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Mission 1839 (1)

Joseph Smith Jr.: Vision from prison 1839 of his escape (1)

Joseph Smith Sr.: Ceased functioning as First Presidency counselor 1839 (1)

Lyman Wight: Escaped from custody 1839, fled to Illinois, fugitive from Missouri justice rest of life (1)

Newel K Whitney: Local bishop 1839 (1)

Oliver Cowdery: Delegate to Democratic convention in Ohio 1839 (1)

Oliver Cowdery: Hyrum Smith accused Oliver Cowdery of theft and forgery 1839 (1)

Oliver Cowdery: Sold Missouri lands 1839 to help homeless Mormons leaving the state (1)

Orson Pratt: Aided escape of Parley P Pratt from prison 1839 (1)

Parley P Pratt: Charges of arson and treason dismissed, escaped from custody 1839, fled to Illinois 1839, a fugitive from Missouri justice the rest of his life (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, 1839

-- During 1839
[Black History] Apostle Parley P. Pratt reports that there are fewer than "one dozen free negroes or mulattoes" in the Church. (Late Persecution of the Church of Latter-day Saints, 1840) (1)

[Black History] Elijah Abel made a member of the Nauvoo Seventies Quorum. (1)

Corrill, John: Louis, 1839). (2)

[Eliza R. Snow] When persecution became intolerable in Ohio, the family moved first to Missouri in 1838, and then to Illinois in 1839. Eliza continued to publish verses, among them "O My Father," a favorite Mormon hymn. (3)

A Voice of Warning, by Parley P. Pratt,nd American edition published. (4)

A 'Catalogue of the Officers and Students of the Auburn Theological Seminary 1838-9' refers to the seminary as 'the school of the prophets. "Altogether more than 300 ministers, trained in this school of the prophets, are holding forth the Word of life from Sabbath to Sabbath. What friend of the Redeemer would not invoke the divine blessing upon their labors?" (5)

Led by Brigham Young, the Missouri Mormons reach safety in Illinois, where they are welcomed by a sympathetic populace. (6)

Albert P Rockwood: Elder 1839 (7)

Brigham Young: Committee to draft resolutions for re-settlement of Mormons from Missouri 1839, but did not serve on committee which actually supervised the Missouri exodus (7)

Brigham Young: Vision 1839 of Mormons going to all parts of country and returning to Missouri from west (7)

George A Smith: Indicted 1839 for burglary and inciting riot in Missouri, charges dismissed (7)

Heber C Kimball: Committee 1839 to draft resolutions for re-settlement of Mormons into Illinois, but did not supervise that resetdement (7)

John Smith: Presided over arrangements to relocate Mormons out of Missouri 1839 after which John Smith ceased functioning as member of First Presidency (7)

Footnotes:
1 - Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood, http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/node/62
2 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
3 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Eliza R. Snow, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/SNOW%2CELIZA.html
4 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
5 - Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source
6 - Whitney, Helen, Timeline: The Early History of the Mormons, A Frontline and American Experience Co-Production, //www.pbs.org/mormons/timeline/
7 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, Dec 5, 1839

-- Dec 5, 1839
Washington, D.C. Joseph Smith sent a letter to his brother Hyrum Smith in Nauvoo, Illinois, reporting his visit with United States president Martin Van Buren. (1)

-- Dec 7, 1839
Washington, D.C. Joseph Smith consulted with the Illinois delegation about how to get the Churchs petition for redress brought before Congress. (1)

-- Dec 16, 1839
Nauvoo charter signed by Illinois Governor Thomas Carlin. (2)

-- (Sat) Dec 21, 1839
Smith arrives in Philadelphia by train from Washington, D.C. Parley P. Pratt also arrives in Philadelphia, having traveled there from NYC. Pratt remains in Philadelphia until Jan 1st. (3)

-- Dec 21, 1839
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Joseph Smith arrived in Philadelphia by railway and spent several days preaching and visiting from house to house, among the brethren and others. (1)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph Jr. reaches Philadelphia and preaches there for a week; then he and Orson Pratt go to New Jersey, return to Philadelphia on 9 January 1840, then return to Washington on 5 February for a short time. Joseph Sr. is bedfast and terminally ill. Lucy assures him by the Spirit that he will not die without his children around him. (4)

-- 1839 Winter-Spring
Most Saints fled from Missouri. (5)

-- Dec 23, 1839
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although a small branch had been organized already in Philadelphia, Joseph Smith established a more extensive organization there. (1)

-- c. (Mon) Dec 24, 1839
About this time Porter Rockwell and Elias Higbee arrive at Philadelphia with Smith's carriage from Washington, PA, where they had been some time, leaving Elder Rigdon there sick, and Dr. Robert E. Foster to take care of him. (3)

-- Dec 30, 1839
Monmouth, New Jersey. Joseph Smith left Philadelphia and spent several days visiting a branch of the Church in New Jersey. (1)

-- 1839
Church Membership at end of year: 16,460
New Converts : -1,421
Percent Change from previous year: -7.95% (6)

-- During 1839 Dec
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph visits Saints in Philadelphia and N.J. (7)

-- During 1839
[Black History] Apostle Parley P. Pratt refers to the "mission of the Twelve" to all nations including those on "India's and Afric's [sic] sultry plains...where darkness, death, and sorrow reign" (from The Millenium and Other Poems). (8)

Footnotes:
1 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
2 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
3 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
4 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
5 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
6 - Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
7 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
8 - Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood, http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/node/62

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Mormon History, Nov 29, 1839

-- Nov 29, 1839
Higbee, Elias: Met with President Martin Van Buren 29 November 1839. Remained in Washington after Prophets departure for Nauvoo to lobby for redress. (1)

[Hosea Stout] On 26 August of that year Stout was baptized by Charles C. Rich. This was during the height of the Mormon persecutions, and on 26 October Hosea was asked to go with the company of David Patten to engage a mob under Samuel Bogart. The engagement was known as the Battle of Crooked River, and on 31 October twenty-seven Mormon militiamen made their escape to Iowa, where Hosea's wife joined him ten months later. Samantha Stout died from exposure there on 29 November 1839. (2)

U.S. president Martin Van Buren tells Joseph Smith in a personal meeting that the federal government cannot intervene to protect Mormon property or civil rights in Missouri. In 1833 the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in the Barrow case that the Bill of Rights restrained only the federal government. Until the Civil War and the 14th Amendment the constitutional separation between the federal government and the rights of sovereign states prohibited such intervention. This is also the first meeting between a U.S. president and an LDS president. (3)

[Joseph Smith] Visits United States president Martin Van Buren. (4)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph and Judge Higbee meet with President Martin Van Buren and tell him their petition. The President says he cannot help them. Joseph spends a few more days in Washington trying to find someone who will help the Saints but no one will. (5)

[Joseph Smith] Visits Martin Van Buren, the president of the United States, in Washington, D.C., seeking redress for Missouri injustices. While there, he also petitions the United States Congress for help. (6)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph visits President Martin Van Buren: "Your cause is just . . ." (7)

-- During 1839 Nov
[Lucy Mack Smith] Times and Seasons is published at Nauvoo, Ill. (7)

-- During 1839 November
Times and Seasons began publication in Nauvoo. (8)

-- During 1839, November
First issue of Times and Seasons published, Commerce, IL. (9)

-- During November 1839
Nauvoo receives its first printing press (recovered from Far West). Times and Seasons, â€•a Church-focused magazine, is first published in Nauvoo, Illinois; Don Carlos Smith and Ebenezer Robinson, editors. (10)

-- Dec39
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Book of Abraham Reference (11)

-- Dec 3, 1839
At a meeting of the Anointed Quorum's Sunday prayer meeting, the Prophet presented his Appeal to the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont. (Of the thirty-eight members, only Hyrum and Mary were absent.) The appeal asked Vermonters to "rise in the majesty of virtuous freemen, and by all honorable means help to bring Missouri to the bar of justice." After discussion by both men and women, the Appeal was dedicated by prayer. (12)

Footnotes:
1 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
2 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Hosea Stout, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/STOUT%2CHOSEA.html
3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47"
4 - Joseph Smith Papers, Timeline of Events, http://josephsmithpapers.org/TimelineOfEvents.htm
5 - More Good Foundation, Timeline, http://www.prophetjosephsmith.org/joseph_smith_timeline
6 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah
7 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
8 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550
9 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
10 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
11 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
12 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml

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Mormon History, c. (Tue) Nov 19, 1839

-- c. (Tue) Nov 19, 1839
(c. Mon.) Parley P. Pratt arrives in New York City. (1)

-- (Wed) Nov 20, 1839
Smith receives a letter from Rigdon who is recuperating from his illness at his brother Carvel's house in Washington Co., PA. (1)

-- 20 & Nov 21, 1839
A general conference was held in NYC on Tues. & Wed. Elders present: Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, Samuel James, Benjamin Winchester, Elders Foster, Layne, Jenks, Brown, Benedict, and Parley P. Pratt. (1)

-- Nov 26, 1839
[Joseph Smith] Aboard ship during a storm, Young writes in his diary: "I set to command the winds to sees a and let ous [us] goe safe on our Jorney[, and] the winds abated." (2)

-- Nov 27, 1839
En route to Washington, D.C. Just before arriving in Washington, D.C., the horses on the stagecoach ran off at full speed while the coachman was getting a drink. Joseph Smith climbed outside the door of the coach and regained control of the horses after a two to three mile run, saving the passengers from injury. (3)

-- (Thr) Nov 28, 1839
Smith and Higbee arrive in Washington, D.C. (1)

-- Nov 28, 1839
Joseph Smith, Jun., arrived in Washington. (4)

Higbee, Elias: Arrived in Washington, D C 28 November 1839. (5)

Washington, D.C. Joseph Smith arrived in the capital to present the Saints petition to the United States federal government seeking redress for losses in Missouri. (3)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph arrives in Washington, D.C. (6)

-- (Fri) Nov 29, 1839
Smith and Higbee meet with President Martin Van Buren in the White House. (1)

-- Nov 29, 1839
In a meeting with U.S. President Martin Van Buren in Washington, D.C., Joseph Smith was told by the president that he [Van Buren] could do nothing to relieve the oppressions in Missouri. (7)

Smith travels to Washington to meet President Martin Van Buren. He demands compensation for the Mormon losses in Missouri. Van Buren expresses sympathy but says he "can do nothing." (8)

Footnotes:
1 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
2 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47"
3 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
4 - Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306
5 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
6 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
7 - Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html
8 - Whitney, Helen, Timeline: The Early History of the Mormons, A Frontline and American Experience Co-Production, //www.pbs.org/mormons/timeline/

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, Nov 4, 1839

-- Nov 4, 1839
Springfield, Illinois. Joseph Smith and his company arrived in Springfield on their journey to Washington, D.C., and met up with William Law and a number of Saints coming from Canada. (1)

-- (Wed) Nov 6, 1839
About this time the group departed Springfield, headed for Indiana. Rigdon was still ill. (2)

-- Nov 7, 1839
Springfield, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to Henry G. Sherwood at Nauvoo, Illinois. (1)

-- (Fri) Nov 8, 1839
About this time the travellers neared Columbus, Ohio and proceeded on poor roads. Rigdon's health was so bad that Smith and Higbee decided to take "the most expeditious route to Washington City, leaving Brothers Rockwell, Rigdon, and Foster, to come on at their leisure in the carriage." (2)

-- (Sat) Nov 9, 1839
Smith writes his wife, saying he and Higbee will leave Rigdon behind. Elias Higbee and Joseph Smith then leave Rigdon, Dr. Foster and Porter Rockwell behind with the carriage and the two of them take the stagecoach to Washington. (2)

-- Nov 9, 1839
Springfield, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to his wife, Emma Smith. (1)

-- c. (Sat) Nov 9, 1839
Parley P. Pratt arrived in Detroit and then "went on to New York City by steamboats, the canal and railway." (2)

-- Nov 14, 1839
After four months of fever and ague, Orson Hyde leaves Commerce for Philadelphia on his mission. (3)

Hyde, Orson: Left on mission to East 14 November 1839. Met George W. Robinson enroute; decided to assist Robinson in publishing history of Church written by Sidney Rigdon. (4)

-- Nov 15, 1839
[Lucy Mack Smith] The first issue of the Times and Seasons is published at Nauvoo. (5)

Wight, Lyman: Moved family to Augusta, Iowa, 15 November 1839. (4)

-- about Nov 17, 1839
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith published a journal entry in the first issue of the Church newspaper Times and Seasons. (1)

-- Nov 18, 1839
Columbus, Ohio. Because of illness among the group traveling to petition the government, Joseph Smith and Judge Elias Higbee went on ahead in order to make better time by stagecoach to Washington, D.C. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
2 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
3 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml
4 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
5 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, Oct 30, 1839

-- Oct 30, 1839
Joseph, et. al., arrive at Quincy. (1)

-- (Thr) Oct 31, 1839
The group remained in Quincy, due to Rigdon's illness. Dr. Robert D. Foster joined the group to care for Rigdon. (2)

-- Oct 31, 1839
Work on documents for presentation. Rigdon sick. (1)

-- Oct 57, 1839
[Joseph Smith] Presided over general church conference, which organized stakes in Commerce and Iowa for newly settled Mormon migrants, Commerce. (3)

-- During October 1839
Foster, Robert D: Baptized before October 1839. (4)

-- During autumn of 1839
[Jacob Hamblin] In the autumn of 1839 he married Lucinda Taylor and settled down to start a family. (5)

-- During fall of 1839
Miller, George: Moved to Lee County, Iowa, in fall of 1839; there established woodyard. (4)

-- Nov 1839
Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith re-print first issue of the Times and Seasons. c. 18 Nov (Mon) After following behind Smith and Higbee for three weeks, Sidney Rigdon's illness worsens and he rests at his brother's house in Washington Co., PA until about Jan. 10th, when he sets out for Philadelphia. (2)

-- Nov 1, 1839
Travel, staid with a friend over night. Dr. Foster continued to accompany us. (1)

-- Nov 2, 1839
[Joseph Smith Prophecy] Smith and companions not killed in Liberty Jail - That he and his companions would not be killed in Liberty Jail, despite evidence that his captors intended to kill him. Joseph said on the morning after their capture after the 1838 Mormon War that "the word of the Lord came to me last night that ... whatever we may suffer during this captivity, not one of our lives shall be taken" (Dona Hill, Joseph Smith: The First Mormon, Doubleday and Company, Garden City, NY, 1977, p. 244). -- (6)

-- Nov 3, 1839
Elders Young and Kimball arrive Cleveland, Ohio, about 1 a.m. While waiting for the noon, Elders Smith, Turley, and Hedlock, who left them at Terre Haute, drove up, having picked up Elder Taylor by the way, he having been left sick by his company in the east part of Indiana. They were in good health, compared with what they had been, and in fine spirits. George A. Smith tarried in Cleveland till the next day, to visit his relatives. Brothers Young, Kimball, Taylor, and Turley rode in the stage, and Brother Hedlock and Mr. Murray in their wagon to Willoughby, and from thence they all rode into Kirtland together. (1)

-- (Mon) Nov 4, 1839
The group arrived in Springfield, capital of Illinois. (2)

-- Nov 4, 1839
We arrived at Springfield, and put up with Brother John Snider. When within one mile of the city, we met William Law and company with seven wagons from Canada, who returned with us to Springfield, and tarried while we did, until the 8th. I preached several times while here. General James Adams, judge of probate, heard of me, sought me out, and took me home with him, and treated me like a father. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml
2 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
3 - Jessee, Dean, Esplin, Ronald and Bushman, Richard Lyman (editors), The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839, Chronology for the Years 1832-1839
4 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
5 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Jacob Hamblin, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/h/HAMBLIN%2CJACOB.html
6 - Wikipedia, Prophesies of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecies_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://bit.ly/mormon-history

Mormon History, Oct 27, 1839

-- Oct 27, 1839
Commerce, Illinois. The high council voted that Joseph Smiths wife, Emma Smith, select and publish an updated hymnbook for the Saints. (1)

-- (Tue) Oct 29, 1839
Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Elias Higbee, and Porter Rockwell set out from Nauvoo for Washington, D.C. in a two-horse carriage (2)

-- Oct 29, 1839
Joseph Smith left Illinois for Washington, D.C., to seek redress from the president of the United States for wrongs suffered by the Saints in Missouri. (3)

Joseph Smith left Commerce for Washington, D.C., to petition U.S. Government for redress of losses in Missouri. (4)

Joseph and Sidney leave Nauvoo with Elias Higbee and Orrin P. Rockwell to present the grievances of the Saints to Congress. Passed through Carthage and stayed at Judge Higbee's over night. (5)

Joseph Smith, Jun., and others left Nauvoo for Washington, D.C., as delegates from the Church to the general government. (6)

Higbee, Elias: Left Nauvoo 29 October 1839. (7)

Commerce, Illinois. Joseph Smith left for Washington, D. C., seeking redress from the Congress of the United States for the grievances and losses of the Saints in Missouri. (1)

[Joseph Smith] Departed Commerce for Washington DC to seek redress for Mormon property losses in Missouri. (8)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph travels to Washington D.C. to seek help from the President for the persecutions of the members in Missouri. (9)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph leaves for Washington, D.C., to present grievances to the president. (10)

-- Oct 29, 1839-4 March
Joseph Smith went to Washington, D.C., with redress petitions. (11)

-- (Wed) Oct 30, 1839
After spending the night at Elias Higbee's house in Carthage the carriage continued on to Quincy. Rigdon became ill. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
2 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
3 - Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html
4 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
5 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml
6 - Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306
7 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
8 - Jessee, Dean, Esplin, Ronald and Bushman, Richard Lyman (editors), The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839, Chronology for the Years 1832-1839
9 - More Good Foundation, Timeline, http://www.prophetjosephsmith.org/joseph_smith_timeline
10 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
11 - Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://mormon-history.gu.ma/

Mormon History, Sep 14, 1839

-- Sep 14, 1839
Young, Brigham: Left for mission to England 14 September 1839. (1)

-- Sep 16, 1839
President Brigham Young started from his home at Montrose, for England. His health was very poor; he was unable to go thirty rods to the river without assistance. After he had crossed the ferry he got Brother Israel Barlow to carry him on his horse behind him to Heber C. Kimball's where he remained sick until the 18th. He left his wife sick with a babe only ten days old, and all his children sick, unable to wait upon each other. I returned home this evening. (2)

-- Sep 17, 1839
Visits sick. (2)

-- Sep 18, 1839
Went to Burlington, Iowa Territory. Elders Young and Kimball left Sister Kimball and all her children sick, except little Heber; fn went thirteen miles on their journey towards England, and were left at Brother Osmon M. Duel's, who lived in a small cabin near the railway between Commerce and Warsaw. They were so feeble as to be unable to carry their trunks into the house without the assistance of Sister Duel, who received them kindly, prepared a bed for them to lie on, and made them a cup of tea. (2)

Elder Brigham Young, accompanied by H. C. Kimball, left Nauvoo on his first mission to England. (3)

[Heber C. Kimball] Leaves for fifth mission, his second to England. (4)

-- Sep 19, 1839
[Returns from Burlington.] Brother Duel carried Elders Young and Kimball in his wagon to Lima, sixteen miles, where another brother received them and carried them to Father Mikesell's near Quincy, about twenty miles; the fatigue of this day was too much for their feeble health; they were prostrated, and obliged to tarry a few days to recruit. (2)

-- Sep 20, 1839
George A. Smith, Reuben Hedlock, and Theodore Turley start for England, and upset their wagon on the bank of the river, before they got out of sight of Commerce. Elders Smith and Turley were so weak they could not get up, and Brother Hedlock had to lift them in again. Soon after, some gentlemen met them and asked who had been robbing the burying ground--so miserable was their appearance through sickness. (2)

-- 22Sept39
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Eternal Life - John 14 (5)

-- Sep 22, 1839
Joseph speaks on the "other Comforter." (2)

-- 29Sept39
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Advice on Preaching Second Coming Righteous and Wicked Suffer Suffering not a Sign of Wickedness (5)

-- During September 1839
Apostles depart for Great Britain for second major British mission. (6)

Kimball, Heber Chase: Left for mission to England September 1839. (1)

Footnotes:
1 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
2 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml
3 - Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306
4 - Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987
5 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
6 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://mormon-history.gu.ma/

Mormon History, Aug 8, 1839

-- Aug 8, 1839
Taylor, John: Left Montrose 8 August 1839. (1)

[Wilford Woodruff] Departs on mission to England with John Taylor (2)

[Wilford Woodruff] Leaves for a mission in England. (3)

-- Aug 12, 1839
Miller, George: Baptized 12 August 1839 by John Taylor. (1)

-- Aug 15, 1839
Baptism for the Dead publicly announced by Joseph Smith. (4)

-- (Thr) Aug 29, 1839
Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, and Hiram Clark started out on the first leg of their journey to Europe, leaving Commerce by two-horse carriage. Their route took them through Illinois, Indiana, and to Detroit. From there Parley P. Pratt went to New York City. Philadelphia, and eventually back to NYC (to catch a ship to England). (5)

-- Aug 29, 1839
Pratt, Orson: Left Illinois on mission to England 29 August 1839. (1)

Pratt, Parley Parker: Left for mission to England with others of twelve apostles 29 August 1839. (1)

-- about Sep 9, 1839
Commerce, Illinois. Joseph Smith spent much of his time attending to the settlement of the Saints in the Hotchkiss purchase in the northwest part of the city. (6)

-- 13-Sep 14, 1839
[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph Jr. visits William Smith at Plymouth. His sister Lucy is healed at the sound of his voice downstairs. (7)

-- Sep 13, 1839
[Lucy Mack Smith] Silas Smith, brother of Joseph Sr., dies. (7)

-- Sep 14, 1839
Joseph Smith, Sr., d. Nauvoo, age 69. (4)

Brigham Young, Heber, C. Kimball, George A. Smith, and Theodore Turley start out for mission to England. (8)

Footnotes:
1 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
2 - Kenny, Scott (editor), Wilford Woodruff's Journals 1833-1898, Chronology Signature Books, Midvale, Utah
3 - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, Utah
4 - Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History
5 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
6 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
7 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
8 - Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology," http://mo-hist-tidd.gu.ma

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://mormon-history.gu.ma/

Mormon History, Jul 22, 1839

-- Jul 22, 1839
Commerce, Illinois to Montrose, Iowa. Joseph Smith and several brethren miraculously healed the Saints of illnesses that had taken hold on both sides of the Mississippi River; this day is known as the greatest day of healing in Church history. (1)

[Joseph Smith] Joseph heals many of the Saints who have been stricken with malaria because of the poor living conditions along the river in Illinois. (2)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph arises from bed of sickness and gives blessings to the sick. (3)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph Jr., rising from his sickbed, begins administering to the sick; he and other elders heal many. (4)

[Wilford Woodruff] Witnesses Joseph Smith healing sick at Commerce (later Nauvoo), Illinois (5)

-- Jul 25, 1839
Trial of Thomas B. Marsh's wife for withholding cream strippings from her partner. (6)

-- Jul 28, 1839
Sunday speakers. Parley P. Pratt: gathering of Israel. Orson Pratt: keeping the commandments. "I admonished the members to set their houses in order, meet on the next Sabbath to partake of the Sacrament, in order that by our obedience to the ordinances, we might be enabled to prevail with God against the destroyer, and that the sick might be healed." (6)

Commerce, Illinois. Despite the great number of Saints still sick, the Sunday meeting was held as usual. Joseph Smith admonished the Saints to set their houses in order, so that by obedience the sick might be healed. (1)

-- During July 1839
Ebenezer Robinson and Don Carlos Smith print first issue of the "Times and Seasons." (Copies are ruined; publication is suspended -- This issue is finally reprinted in Nov. 1839.) (7)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Joseph Smith Sr. is sick all summer. Joseph Jr. also becomes ill but is healed by Emma's herbal remedies. (4)

-- During summer of 1839
Kimball, Heber Chase: Moved to Nauvoo in summer of 1839. (8)

Partridge, Edward: Settled in Nauvoo in summer of 1839. (8)

Smith, George Albert: Moved to Lee County, Iowa, in summer of 1839. (8)

Footnotes:
1 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
2 - More Good Foundation, Timeline, http://www.prophetjosephsmith.org/joseph_smith_timeline
3 - Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced
4 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
5 - Kenny, Scott (editor), Wilford Woodruff's Journals 1833-1898, Chronology Signature Books, Midvale, Utah
6 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml
7 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
8 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-mormon-church-history.html

Mormon History, Jun 27, 1839

-- Jun 27, 1839
[Joseph Smith] Orson Hyde returns to the church to explain his actions and rejoin the church. (1)

[Quorum of the Twelve] Orson Hyde restored to the Quorum by vote of the church. (2)

-- c. late June 1839
John P. Green's "Facts Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons..." published in Cincinnati, Ohio. The pamphlet included the printed endorsement of Governor Thomas Carlin, General Samuel Leach, chairman of the Democratic Association of Quincy; and several of the leading citizens of Adams County. (3)

-- (Sun) Jun 30, 1839
Smith preached at "Brother Bosier's." There, to a crowded audience, he bore his testimony concerning the truth of Mormonism and also of the truth of the Book of Mormon. (3)

-- During Jun 1839
[Black History] Elijah Abel's activities discussed, but his holding the Priesthood is not documented as being questioned, in a meeting attended by Joseph Smith, Jr. (4)

-- During June 1839
Orson Hyde: Rebaptized and reinstated to Quorum of Twelve 27 June 1839 but "silenced until next Spring" (5)

[Lucy Mack Smith] Don Carlos Smith, using the printing press that W. W. Phelps had employed in Missouri, begins to set up the Times and Seasons. (6)

Smith, John: Moved to Commerce June 1839. (7)

-- During c. Jun 1839
Theodore Turley raised the first new house built by the Mormons in Commerce. (3)

-- 1839 Summer
Members of the Quorum of the Twelve, as their circumstances permitted, departed from Nauvoo, Ill., for their missions to England. (See D&C 118). (8)

-- 2Jul39
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Reminder: Reports not Verbatim Forgiveness - Mercy Complete Confession Necessary Competition in Spiritual Matters Never Take Credit for Inspiration from God Beware in Dealing with the World Do not Betray the Restoration (9)

-- Jul 2, 1839
Joseph Smith tells the Apostles and Seventies, "I will give you one of the Keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principle, that has existed with God from all eternity: That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives." This is often quoted to members who are critical of church leaders without mentioning that it was originally given to church leaders-to apostles and seventies-who were critical of church members. (10)

Montrose, Iowa. Joseph Smith counseled with and blessed the Twelve Apostles and certain of the Seventies before their missions to Great Britain. (11)

Footnotes:
1 - Wikipedia, Joseph Smith Chronology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.
2 - Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)
3 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
4 - Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood, http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/node/62
5 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47
6 - Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books
7 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
8 - Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html
9 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
10 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
11 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-mormon-church-history.html

Mormon History, (Sat) Jun 8, 1839

-- (Sat) Jun 8, 1839
Sidney Rigdon's letter of May 27th is published in the "Quincy Whig." (1)

-- (Tue) Jun 11, 1839
Smith began dictating a new autobiography and Church history to his clerk, James Mulholland. Just as when the 1834-35 History was begun in the "Messenger and Advocate" in Kirtland, the writing of this 1839 History may have been spurred in part by the appearance of the Spalding authorship claims as an alternative explanation for the origin of Mormonism. (1)

-- Jun 11, 1839
Joseph begins work on what becomes the Manuscript History of the Church. (2)

The first house was put up by the Saints in Commerce, afterward named Nauvoo. (3)

James Mulholland records that Joseph Smith "commenced to dictate and I to write history" based on the 1838 history by clerk George Robinson. The new manuscript contains Joseph Smith's well-known account of his first vision "early in the spring of eighteen hundred and twenty." (4)

Commerce, Illinois. Joseph Smith began dictating his personal history to James Mulholland. (5)

[Joseph Smith] Resumed recording history with scribe James Mulholland, Commerce. (6)

-- Jun 23, 1839
McDonough County, Illinois. While visiting his brother Don Carlos Smith, Joseph Smith preached to a congregation so eager to hear that a part of them stood out in the rain during the sermon. (5)

-- (Thr) Jun 27, 1839
Orson Hyde was readmitted to the Church in a meeting of the Council of 12 in Commerce. (1)

-- 27Jun39
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Return of Orson Hyde D&C 129 Topics Joseph - First Principles Calling and Election - Temples First and Second Comforter After Second Comforter Obtained - Visitations Cultivating the Spirit of Revelation New Testament "Evangelist" (7)

-- Jun 27, 1839
Orson Hyde acknowledges his faults and is "restored to the Priesthood again." (2)

Wilford Woodruff writes: "Among the vast number of the Keys of the Kingdom of God Joseph presented the following one to the Twelve for there benefit in there experience & travels in the flesh which is as follows: In order to detect the devel when he transforms himself nigh unto an angel of light. When an angel of God appears unto man face to face in personage & reaches out his hand unto the man & he takes hold of the angels hand & feels a substance the same as one man would in Shaking hands with another he may then know that it is an angel of God, & he should place all Confidence in him. Such personages or angels are Saints with there resurrected Bodies. But if a personage appears unto man & offers him his hand & the man takes hold of it & he feels nothing or does not sense any substance he may know it is the devel, for when a Saint whose body is not resurrected appears unto man in the flesh he will not offer him his hand for this is against the law given him & in keeping in
mind these things we may detec the devil that he decieved us not." (4)

Hyde, Orson: Restored to former position 27 June 1839. (8)

Footnotes:
1 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
2 - Kenny, Scott, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml
3 - Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
6 - Jessee, Dean, Esplin, Ronald and Bushman, Richard Lyman (editors), The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839, Chronology for the Years 1832-1839
7 - The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/
8 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985

LDS History Timeline

About this site: http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-mormon-church-history.html

Mormon History, May 25, 1839

-- May 25, 1839
Smith, William B: Restored to fellowship 25 May 1839. (1)

-- (Sun) May 26, 1839
By this date (at the very latest) Rigdon had the May 18 issue of the Quincy Whig, with its "Origin of Mormonism" article quoting the Matilda Spalding Davison statement. (2)

-- (Mon) May 27, 1839
Sidney Rigdon writes his attack on proponents of the Spalding theory. (2)

-- May 27, 1839
Sidney Rigdon writes to the BOSTON JOURNAL emphatically denying the "Spaulding" story. Of Solomon Spaulding, whom he says he had never heard of until the story was publicized and who has been dead for two decades, Rigdon says he wrote "lies to get money" and that Rigdon has "but a very light opinion of him as a gentleman, a scholar, or a man of piety, for had he been either, he certainly would have taught his pious wife not to lie, nor unite herself with adulterers, liars, and the basest of mankind." (3)

-- c. 3o May (Thr) 1839
Smith was in Commerce until "the latter part of the week," when he went to Quincy with his "Counselors." (Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon). Smith notes that he "continued to assist in making preparations to lay our grievances before the general government." As both Smith and Rigdon were in Quincy together at this time, it is possible that they hand delivered the Rigdon letter and other Mormon items for publication in the Whig. However, even a hand-delivered letter arriving near the end of the weeks might not make it into the Saturday newspaper. This may be why Rigdon's rebuttal letter was not published until the following Saturday (June 8th). (2)

-- During May 1839
Orson Hydeâ€˜s Prophetic Warning, republished in Manchester, England. (4)

[Heber C. Kimball] Moves to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Illinois. (5)

[Missouri War] Nearly all the Saints have left Missouri. (6)

Young, Brigham: Moved to Montrose, Iowa, May 1839. (1)

-- (Sat) Jun 1, 1839
Letter of Robert B. Thompson (then working as a writer for the "Argus" ) and associates, probably written about May 31, 1839: "To the Editors of the Argus Gentlemen - Observing in the last weeks Whig, a communication over the names of Messrs. Rigdon and J. and H. Smith, in relation to the letters of Mr. Lyman Wight, which have lately appeared in that paper, and believing that the sentiments therein expressed, are in unison with those entertained by the body, of which we form a part, and feeling desirous to give publicity to the same, we should esteem it a favor if you would give it a place in your columns, and by so doing, you will oblige, Yours, Respectfully, JOHN P. GREENE, REYNOLDS CAHOON, R. B. THOMPSON. (2)

-- Jun 1, 1839
Quincy, Illinois. Joseph Smith held a conference and taught that bishops are the authorities God appointed to take care of the poor. (7)

-- Jun 2, 1839
[Sermon] Joseph Smith: The Priesthood - The Second Advent - The Gathering - Spiritual Ministrations and Manifestations, JD 6:237 - 240 (8)

-- (Wed) Jun 5, 1839
Smith returns to Commerce from Quincy. (2)

Footnotes:
1 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985
2 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
3 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
4 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
5 - Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987
6 - LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839
7 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith
8 - Journal of Discourses, http://jod.mrm.org

LDS History Timeline

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